"Women leaders bring a different perspective and a different voice to the issues. We're very practical people. We're often the ones that are making ends meet in the family scenario, so when we are talking about our communities, our province, we are talking about the people. It's about real people. Having women at the table in leadership positions could bring the practical realities of what families and neighbourhoods and communities experience.”

The Liberal's charge that voters should elect a representative of the governing party in order for Sault Ste. Marie to get its fair share; the Progressive Conservatives and the NDP's counter that the Liberals have done nothing for Northern Ontario to earn that vote.

And with that, the three main party candidates hoping to be elected Sault Ste. Marie's member of Provincial Parliament for the next 18 months in the June 1 byelection squared off at a morning debate held by the United Steelworkers.

PC candidate and current city councillor Ross Romano said Sault Ste. Marie ought to be the economic engine of Northern Ontario, a place where jobs can be created, a smelter plant built and hope created for the young and middle class.

The NDP's Joe Krmpotich, a longtime union employee and current city councillor, called on voters to help return Sault Ste. Marie to what it once was – a place with good paying jobs, benefits and pensions and a place that offers that same opportunity for youth.

But Liberal candidate and former city mayor Debbie Amaroso said voters only need to look at Sault Ste. Marie to see the results of having an elected representative line up with the government in power in order to get the infrastructure and assistance it needs.

The handful of voters who attended the debate Tuesday morning at the Marconi Club wanted to know how the candidates would ensure their pensions are safe, how Sault Ste. Marie issues would be advanced at Queen's Park and how trade jobs would be promoted and filled.

Romano said that PC party is not anti-union and under the new leadership of Patrick Brown, “we are a different party with a different leader.”

He blamed the Liberal government with the steelmaker's issues – problems that did not happen overnight but began back in the early 1990s.

“Your pension is owed to you. . . I will fight for your jobs and your pensions,” Romano said.

Amaroso said that one of her strengths is to bring the parties together and she is confident that as the city's MPP, she can do just that to ensure that pensions are protected now, and in the future.

Krmpotich said he's been fighting for pensions and workers in both Ottawa and Queen's Park for years and it was the NDP who put forth a motion designed to put workers first.

“No one was arm-in-arm with the NDP when we were fighting for this,” he said.

Romano said he plans to advance Sault Ste. Marie's issues by fighting for the city and its constituents and will use his 13-year career experience as a litigator to do just that.

“It's not fair to say elect the party in power because they are in power. It's unfair to hold voters hostage and we won't get anything as Conservatives,” he said.

Krmpotich said the Liberal's and the Wynne government have had their chance.

“We need to send a strong message to the Wynne government that they have let Ontario down and they are not listening to Northern Ontario,” he said.

Amaroso called their arguments “rederick.”

“I have a seat at the table, you don't,” she said pointing to both Romano and Krmpotich.

Amaroso said voters need to examine how best to capitalize on having the best opportunity for Sault Ste. Marie and noted that the Liberal government will still be in power after the June 1 byelection for another 18 months.

“I beg you to look around the community and see what we have. A new hospital, new schools, a hub trail and that happened by being aligned with the party that was governing the province,” she said.

All the candidates acknowledged that training is important and that more tradespeople are needed to make Ontario's industries work.

Krmpotich said while unions have been training thousands of people locally, the Liberal's have been closing schools and technology programs while the Conservatives have cut funding for those types of programs.

The NDP, he said, have a plan that will will integrate more on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs and ensure that young people are properly trained to have the opportunities to fill good-paying state-of-the-art jobs so they don't have to leave Sault Ste. Marie.

Romano called the trades “critical to our community, our society” and blamed the Liberals for cutting programs in the educational system.

He said the Ring of Fire is an opportunity that has not been discussed by the NDP in the past decade and said the Liberals have not moved to launch the far north's development other than to create a secretariat or added layer of bureaucracy.

He vowed that his party will find the money to build the roads and he'll fight for a smelter plant to be built in Sault Ste. Marie.

Amaroso agreed trades are essential. She said the Liberal's have developed a plan for an apprenticeship program and has recognized that these programs are important to cities like Sault Ste. Marie.

In addition, Amaroso said free tuition is available to many to help them map their career paths, including the trades.

A fourth, independent candidate, Znone-of-the-above also participated in the debate, offering a solution to voters who don't believe the three main parties offer what voters are looking for in their provincial representative. His real name is Sheldon Bergson and will change his name back to that at some point in the future, he said.

He officially changed his name and ran in the last federal election in Thornhill, Ont., and has ran in various byelections since then, after joining the “noneoftheabove” party including Oshawa-Whitby, Scarborough and now Sault Ste. Marie.

His goals were to develop a real ballot option for noneoftheabove party and to offer voters a choice so ballots are not spoiled and individuals respect veterans who fought for the freedom to vote.

He believes that any party would adapt a good idea if it produces positive ratings in the polls.

Today, Ross Romano appeared in front of United Steelworkers Union Local 2251 and made the case that it was time they had a strong voice at Queen’s Park with a representative who has the energy to fight for them.

At the All Candidates Meeting held this morning, Mr. Romano made a powerful case that, as the PC candidate, he was best suited to defend the rights of steelworkers and create jobs in Sault Ste Marie.

In his remarks Romano said, “For too long the Sault has been forgotten… It is time we become the economic engine of Northern Ontario.”

Mr. Romano also renewed his commitment to develop the Ring of Fire and build a processing facility saying “We need jobs in the Sault” like the 2000 positions that development could create.

Mr. Romano would like to thank Local 2251 for organizing the meeting.

“The Steelworkers Union has been a pillar of our community for decades, and I have been very frustrated with how they have been treated by Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals. I was very happy with the reception to my remarks at the meeting today, and I look forward to working with United Steelworkers as the MPP for Sault Ste Marie.” Romano said.

Sault Ste. Marie NDP candidate Joe Krmpotich sits next to the ballot box just before members of Steelworkers Local 2251 vote on which party their union should endorse.

​Election day isn't until June 1, but ballots were cast in the Sault Ste. Marie by-election on Tuesday.

The members of the United Steelworkers Local 2251, representing some 2,100 employees at Essar Steel Algoma, voted on which candidate their union would endorse.

"Let's be clear: Romano is a Conservative. That's a fact. It says so right on is signs," NDP candidate, Sault city councillor and Steelworker employee Joe Krmpotich told the two dozen people in the crowd at the Marconi Club.

But PC hopeful Ross Romano, a city councillor who shares Ward 6 with Krmpotich, suggested his colleague was thinking of the long ago Mike Harris era.

"We're not anti-union, Joe. C'mon!" Romano shouted.

"I don't know what party you're referring to. We are a new party with a new direction and a new leader."

Mike DaPrat
Mike DaPrat is the president of United Steelworkers Local 2251, which represents some 2,100 workers at Essar Steel Algoma. (Erik White/CBC)

This is a new process for unions, who typically don't hold membership votes to decide endorses.

As well, the United Steelworkers have such a close relationship with the New Democrats, their support tends to go without saying.

But USW Local 2251 president Mike DaPrat says that's doing a disservice to members.

"You can't put all your eggs in one basket and say, you know what, this is our choice. No matter what, this is our choice. Because if you make yourself irrelevant, you're not serving your members," he says.

In the end, only 16 of the 2,100 Steelworkers voted: 14 for the NDP and one each for the Liberals and PCs.

In elections past this would mean financial support from USW to the NDP, but under new campaign financing rules, unions and corporations are banned from donating to political campaigns.

The maximum donation from an individual was cut dramatically from $30,000 down to $3,600.

Larry Savage, the director of the Centre for Labour Studies at Brock University, says this legal change will require a "cultural change" for unions, whose donations to provincial political parties have increased every year since 1995.

"We're going to have to start mobilizing our members and get them to donate directly," says DaPrat. "It's not going to be easy."

All of this is happening with the gloomy backdrop of the possible shutdown of Essar Steel Algoma, which is in creditor protection.

All three main party candidates pledged to fight for the steel industry and support the city's steelworkers, but Liberal candidate and former mayor Debbie Amaroso says that she's the best choice because she'll have a "seat at the table" where decisions are made by the majority Liberal government.

"I'm not there to make friends," she told the crowd at the Steelworkers debate.

"I'm terrified that we will sit on our hands for 13 months because we wanted to send a message."

Seven Days of Advance Polls to Begin For the Sault Ste. Marie Provincial By-Election


TORONTO, May 17, 2017 /CNW/ - Advance polls for the Sault Ste. Marie provincial by-election begin on May 20th, 2017 and are available through May 26th, 2017. Advance polls will be open from 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. (Eastern Time).

Advance poll locations, dates and times are printed on the Notice of Registration Cards sent to registered voters. A complete list of advance poll locations is available at elections.on.ca.

Special ballot voting continues at the Sault Ste. Marie returning office until 6:00 P.M. (Eastern Time) on May 31st, 2017.

Election day is June 1st, 2017. Polls will be open from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. (Eastern Time).

Canadian citizens who reside in the electoral district of Sault Ste. Marie, and are at least 18 years of age or older on election day, are eligible to vote. Eligible voters are reminded to bring their Notice of Registration Card and proof of identity or one piece of identification that includes both their name and residential address with them to vote. A detailed list of acceptable identification documents is available at elections.on.ca.

For more information visit elections.on.ca or call 1-888-668-8683 (TTY: 1-888-292-2312).

Note: SaultOnline.com’s Lynne Brown sat down with None of the Above for a video interview candidate profile, that will be broadcast next week on SaultOnline.com

____________________________________

The Ontario None of the Above Party (NOTA) nominates Above Znoneofthe as candidate for the June 1, 2017, Sault Ste. Marie provincial by-election, registers all 122 riding associations (RAs), and announces candidate nominations closing for the 2018 Ontario election.

The NOTA Party campaigns for the 3Rs of Direct Democracy; Referendum, Recall and Real electoral and legislative Reforms that give voters control of politicians and parties. Candidates are accountable to their constituents and there are no central party policies or controls of elected MPPs beyond the binding Direct Democracy principles.

With Elections Ontario approving the 2016 annual returns for all 122 RAs, would-be candidates for the 2018 Ontario election are asked to go to www.nota.ca and submit a resume for contested ridings by June 15, 2017, and in other ridings by June 30, 2017.
“There is another option for people who want a choice other than to vote for any of the big party candidates or to give up their right to cast a secret ballot by having to publically decline their ballots, a choice that makes their vote count for real change,” said Sault Ste. Marie by-election candidate Above Znoneofthe.

None of the Above is part of a worldwide movement of new and independent parties and candidates campaigning for direct democracy and voter empowerment policies supported by voters and non-voters alike.

In the recent French Presidential runoff election the combination of declined, spoiled and abstained ballots finished second overall with one in three votes, and over 40 percent of voters supporting an official option to decline on the ballot itself.

“The major parties have rigged the rules for $millions in campaign and vote subsidies in their favour, but if just five percent in this by-election and two percent of people in the 2018 election voted for NOTA Party candidates, we would qualify for some basic subsidies that would allow us to grow and bring about the positive change we need,” said None of the Above Party leader Greg Vezina.

“Talk about every vote counting, people in Ontario finally get to vote their principles and have it matter,” Vezina said.

( although not scientific , the Soo today poll from yesterday paints a dire picture for the liberals in this by election , ndp got 37% , pc 's 35 % and liberals 9 % . although I doubt they'd only get 9% on election day the fact there supporters aren't even motivated enough to vote on the poll , which is on a very busy news site in the soo speaks volumes about how things might be going there )

The byelection will take place on June 1 with polls open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Canadian citizens who reside in the electoral district of Sault Ste. Marie, and are at least 18 years of age or older on election day, are eligible to vote.

Eligible voters are reminded to bring their notice-of-registration card and proof of identity or one piece of identification that includes both their name and residential address with them.

A detailed list of acceptable identification documents is available at elections.on.ca.

Advance polls for the byelection start on May 20 and continue through May 26.

The following advance poll locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on these specified dates:
•Elections Ontario returning office at 601 Queen Street East will be open on May 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
•The Tech at 130 Wellington Street East will be open on May 22, 23, 24, 25
•Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre at 50 Pim Street will be open on May 20, 21, 22
•Cara Community at 31 Old Garden River Road will be open on May 20, 21
•Bethany Baptist Church at 1074 Second Line West will be open on May 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
•Anna McCrea Public School at 250 Mark Street will be open on May 24, 25, 26
•Sault College at 434 Northern Avenue East will be open on May 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

Special ballot voting will continue at the Sault Ste. Marie returning office until May 31.

This doesn't surprise me, given the attitudes I see whenever people in my area say anything at all ... a Wynne joke is always good for a laugh. But politics, generally, is a taboo topic. On Facebook, they are passing around a lot of info on hydro's mismanagement, amongst the cat videos and food porn. It's all about where costs are going up. You don't hear about the carbon tax, you hear about why gas is at $1.05 when its down to $44 a barrel? (This is an agricultural community, and they talk that way.)

The word percolates through these communities following its own dynamic. Whatever anger there is expresses itself only when 'policy' affects the ordinary householder financially in a significant way. They don't get moved by the abstract issues very much. If Wynne thinks she's fooling people with her new generosity, she's probably fooling herself. My sense of it is people have already made up their minds.

Znone (the z is silent) says he did it because he didn't much like then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

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"Harper had upset me. Skipping debates, refusing questions. That was the last straw."

Bergson decided to run in the 2015 federal general election.

But he didn't have much use for the mainstream political parties.

It's hard to be heard in an election when you're not affiliated with one of the big parties.

Bergson reckoned if he changed his name to Above Znoneofthe, he'd be at the bottom of the ballot.

None of the Above. Get it?

"I'd thought about it for years and I said: 'You know what? I'm going to send it in and see if it'll sneak past.' And it did."

It didn't happen fast enough for him to run in 2015.

But in the past two years, Znone has run in a handful of provincial and federal byelections.

"The problem that I have with all of the big parties is that they do what's best for their party first and what's best for the people second."

If the mainstream parties put people first, Znone says, "they wouldn't have sold off a chunk of Hydro. We were getting a billion dollars a year off of that. It was a good investment, making some good money off it."

Ultimately, he wants to see None of the Above as a ballot option for voters.

"My main goal is to see None of the Above there and I will change my name back. I'll go back to Sheldon," he says.

Znone gets upset when he hears people say all the candidates and parties are the same, so why should they vote?

"Veterans fought and died for it. People are fighting and dying all over the world to be able to vote. You're like: 'I've got something better on the tv.' Not gonna go and line up for the vote? It's a duty. You have the right not to. Which I don't think you should. We should make it mandatory. It's disrespectful not to bother to vote every time you have the chance."

"If you really don't like the other options, go run yourself. But don't complain if you didn't even go and vote."

Does Znone really think he can accomplish anything for the voters of Sault Ste. Marie?

"Yes, I do," he says. "If I come up with a good idea and it's so good and everybody's staring at it and they go like: 'yeah, yeah,' steal it, fine. If whatever I come up with starts getting numbers in the polls, that's all that matters to the other parties. Hey, the polls say it's good, let's take it and do it. So all I have to do is get some good ideas out there."

If he's a serious candidate. how much time is the father of two prepared to spend in the Sault?

"I'm up here," he says. "Except for this weekend, I'm going back to see my kids."

"I'll be back up on Monday, right through to the election. I'm planning on being up here pretty much to the end."

Here's the official list of the seven official candidates:
•Amaroso, Debbie - Ontario Liberal Party
•Balfour, Gene - Ontario Libertarian Party
•Flannigan, Kara - Green Party of Ontario
•Krmpotich, Joe - New Democratic Party of Ontario
•Romano, Ross - Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
•Turmel, John, Pauper Party of Ontario
•Znoneofthe, Above - None of the Above Party

The following is the full text of a news release from Ontario's None of the Above Party:

The NOTA party campaigns for the 3Rs of Direct Democracy; Referendum, Recall and Real electoral and legislative Reforms that give voters control of politicians and parties.

Candidates are accountable to their constituents and there are no central party policies or controls of elected MPPs beyond the binding Direct Democracy principles.

With Elections Ontario approving the 2016 annual returns for all 122 riding associations, would-be candidates for the 2018 Ontario election are asked to go to www.nota.ca and submit a resume for contested ridings by June 15, 2017, and in other ridings by June 30, 2017.

"There is another option for people who want a choice other than to vote for any of the big party candidates or to give up their right to cast a secret ballot by having to publicly decline their ballots, a choice that makes their vote count for real change," said Sault Ste. Marie byelection candidate Above Znoneofthe.

None of the Above is part of a worldwide movement of new and independent parties and candidates campaigning for direct democracy and voter empowerment policies supported by voters and non-voters alike.

In the recent French presidential runoff election, the combination of declined, spoiled and abstained ballots finished second overall with one in three votes, and over 40 per cent of voters supporting an official option to decline on the ballot itself.

"The major parties have rigged the rules for millions of dollars in campaign and vote subsidies in their favour, but if just five per cent in this byelection and two per cent of people in the 2018 election voted for NOTA party candidates, we would qualify for some basic subsidies that would allow us to grow and bring about the positive change we need," said None of the Above Party leader Greg Vezina.

"Talk about every vote counting, people in Ontario finally get to vote their principles and have it matter," Vezina said.

( it seems odd they had the advance polls during the may long weekend , usually people are out of town and busy that weekend , wonder how many came out to vote ? )

Advance Polls Start May 20th

By Craig Huckerby -
May 17, 2017

Advance polls for the Sault Ste. Marie Provincial by-election will begin May 2oth and continue until May 26th , Elections Ontario announced Wednesday. Advance Polls will be open each day from 8am to 8pm each day.

Advance poll locations and times are indicated on the registration cards mailed to registered voters.

Special ballot voting continues on May 31 at the Ontario Elections returning office on May 31st until 6pm.

Canadian citizens who reside in Sault Ste. Marie and are at least 18 years of age or older on election day are eligible to vote. Voters are reminded to bring their notice of registration card and proof of identify with or one piece of identification that includes your name and residential address to vote.

Election day is June 1st, regular polls are open 9am to 9pm on that date.

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